Americans Again Rank Fuel Savings As Their Favorite Loyalty Program Reward

For the second year in a row, American consumers have identified rewards that help them save on the everyday cost of fuel as their preferred loyalty program currency. Findings from Excentus’ new “Road to Rewards Revisited” annual survey and report also show that certain types of rewards are powerful enough to influence where, when and how frequently consumers shop.

Based on a 2016 survey of more than 1,000 U.S. consumers, the second annual report highlights the underlying power of rewards that deliver everyday consumer value and their impact on consumer behaviors. These new findings are particularly crucial for U.S. retailers and merchants as they face multiple challenges, including increased competition for customers but waning consumer activity in existing loyalty programs, according to Brandon Logsdon, president and CEO of Excentus, a provider of loyalty marketing and technology solutions for grocers, specialty retailers, convenience retailers and consumer packaged goods companies.

2015 vs. 2016

Rewards that help consumers save on the cost of gasoline ranked No. 1 again in 2016 as the most popular loyalty program currency, with 37 percent of consumers preferring fuel discounts over credit card rewards, coupons, retailer points and instant discounts at the cash register. Respondents say they prefer fuel-saving rewards because they like saving money any way they can (39 percent) and they like earning rewards from everyday purchases made (23 percent) among a variety of retailers.

Additional survey findings in 2016 also underscore the inherent power of loyalty programs to influence consumer behaviors and brand preferences. More than one quarter (26 percent) of consumers say they shop more frequently at stores where they can earn rewards, 17 percent plan ahead to take advantage of rewards and promotions and 14 percent shop only where they can earn rewards. Another 13 percent say the ability to earn more rewards or save more money would prompt them to switch brands or shop at a different store.

Mobile opportunities and everyday value

The report reinforces the influence of Millennials and the mobile environment on loyalty program activities. Nearly 40 percent of “digital native” Millennials rely on mobile apps to track and redeem their rewards, while across all age groups, the use of plastic membership cards dropped by 4 percent during 2016, the survey shows.

“For merchants and retailers, the findings are clear: loyalty programs that skimp on delivering everyday value are missing critical opportunities to attract new customers and retain existing ones, increase foot traffic and turn loyal shoppers into higher-value customers,” said Logsdon. “Mobile technology has and will continue to make it much easier, faster and cheaper to leverage loyalty programs, particularly for the growing segment of consumers who rely on their mobile devices for life’s daily activities.”

One of those daily activities is driving, and reported membership in the Fuel Rewards program, owned and operated by Excentus, grew by more than 9 percent during 2016, according to the survey. Likewise, consumer interest in saving on gasoline at the pump also rose by 2 percent, even as average gas prices dropped from $2.79 to $2.25 a gallon nationwide during the survey period. The Excentus-sponsored survey of 1,120 U.S. consumers (+/- 3.1% margin of error) was fielded by Ipsos in summer 2016.

The report also notes that consumers are moving beyond grocery store and credit card programs to earn fuel savings, with shoppers saying they would like to earn rewards from a broader range of retailers, including restaurants, convenience stores, pharmacies, shared-economy services and online marketplaces.

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About The Author

A former newspaper editor and publisher who has handled digital duties for The Shelby Report since 2011. She once enjoyed leisurely perusing the grocery store aisles but, since having a baby in 2016, is now an enthusiastic click-and-collect shopper.

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